A Delicate Finish (MIRA) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jeanette Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005 | Series: MIRA

- Jeanette's writing features strong romance, complex relationships and compelling settings.
- This is Jeanette Baker's fourth title for Mira Books, following Chesapeake Tide (6/04), The Delaney Woman (6/03) and Blood Roses (8/02).
- She has published eight additional titles, six of which were historicals for Pocket Books.
- Her March 1999 release, Nell, was the recipient of a Rita Award from the Romance Writers of American.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The wine-growing valley between the San Rafael and Santa Ynez mountains makes a lush backdrop to this romance about Francesca DeAngelo and her widowed mother-in-law, Julianne. Francesca has had a tough time after her husband, Jake, suddenly left her and their then six-year-old son, Nick. Julianne stayed with her daughter-in-law and helped keep her family's winery in business. Now the two women face unexpected challenges: Jake has returned, and a corporate winery is hoping to set up shop in the quiet valley. Mitch Gillette, the company man, is not the devil that Francesca wants him to be (he is a good man, clueless about raising his teenage twins), and neither is Jake. Mitch falls for Julianne, while Jake tries to convince Francesca that he is back for good. The two men set out to woo their reluctant love interests, while the women attempt to learn how to trust again and believe in the power of love. Baker's sweet romance will appeal to young and old alike. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Delivered with thoughtful exposition and flawless writing, this provocative book is built around Baker's personal experience." -- Publishers Weekly on Blood Roses

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778321827
• ISBN-13: 978-0778321828
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,372,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeanette Baker is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, most of them set in the lush countryside of historical and contemporary Ireland where she lives and writes during the summer months. Her ancestors, the Flahertys, hail from Inishmore the largest of the Aran Islands located off the coast of Galway. She takes great pride in the prayer posted by the English over the ancient city gates, 'From the wrath of the O'Flahertys, may the good Lord deliver us.'

Jeanette graduated from the University of California at Irvine and holds a Masters Degree in Education. For the remainder of the year, Jeanette teaches in Southern California and enjoys the company of her grown children. She is the Rita award-winning author of NELL.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Stars!, June 1, 2005

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Delicate Finish (MIRA) (Mass Market Paperback)

Two years ago Francesca DeAngelo Harris returned home with carry out food for her husband, Jake, to find him carrying out his luggage. Jake left Francie without a word of explanation, leaving her with a 1200 acre, hundred year old vineyard and their six-year-old son, Nicholas. Fortunately, her mother-in-law (Julianne) ran a catering business out of the home. With Julianne's help, Francie managed very nicely on her own...until now.

Grape Growers Incorporated "GGI" is determined to mass-produce wine in the valley, putting all the small, independent vintners out of business. Mitchell Gillette is transferred from San Francisco to make it happen. His twin children, fifteen-year-olds Sarah and Drew, must move from the city to the valley with him. Mitch had divorced their mother long ago and the kids had lived with her. However, their mother died very recently. He does not really know his children and they are all up-tight. Sarah and Drew are handling all the sudden life changes differently. Sarah is trying her best to fit in and adapt. Drew is falling in with a bad crowd.

Francesca comes home after a hard day of work to find her ex-husband, Jake, sitting at the table. Jake swears he is reformed and wants back into her life. That is a shock in itself. But shortly thereafter, Francie finds Mitch, the corporate enemy of the entire valley, at the table. Even worse, Julianne is falling in love with Mitch. Life is full of surprises.

***** Many good novels have been written dealing with one rocky relationship and also involving major businesses. However, THIS book deals with twice as much. This story revolves around two main "romance" relationships, as well as, around the problems that single parents with rebellious teens must endure. Under it all is the community's winery troubles. It all sounds like a lot to cram into a single novel, however, the author has managed to pull it off. The story flows smoothly. You will never find yourself confused either. Author Jeanette Baker has created a marvelous and realistic modern day tale that readers will long remember! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.